ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Ministry of Commerce & Industry
India participates in 20th ASEAN-India Economic Ministers’ Meeting in Semarang, Indonesia
Shri Rajesh Agrawal, Additional Secretary, Department of Commerce, Ministry of Commerce and Industry represented India in the 20th ASEAN-India Economic Ministers’ meeting held on 21st August 2023 in Semarang, Indonesia and co-chaired the meeting with Dr. Zulkifli Hasan, Minister of Trade, Indonesia. The Economic Ministers or their representatives from all the 10 ASEAN countries viz. Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam participated in the meeting. Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste also joined the Meeting as an observer.
The Ministers reviewed the bilateral trade and investment relations between India and ASEAN and underscored their commitment to strengthen and enhance the economic partnership between India and ASEAN to ensure that the ASEAN-India Comprehensive Strategic Partnership delivers meaningful benefits for both sides, particularly in the post-pandemic era. India and ASEAN registered a bilateral trade of USD 131.5 billion in 2022-23. The trade with ASEAN accounted for 11.3% of India’s global trade in 2022-23.
The Ministers also interacted with the ASEAN-India Business Council  and took note of the activities undertaken by AIBC in 2023, including the 5th ASEAN-India Business Summit held on 6th March 2023 in Kuala Lumpur. The Ministers noted the Non-Tariff Barriers  flagged by the businesses and appreciated the growing exchanges between the stakeholders from both sides.
The Ministers exchanged views on the regional and global challenges, such as the multidimensional impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, climate change, heightened volatility in the global financial market, inflationary pressures, and geopolitical tensions. Both sides identified resilient supply chains, food security, energy security, health and financial stability as priority areas of cooperation.
The main agenda of this year’s meeting was the timely review of ASEAN-India Trade in Goods Agreement  which was signed in 2009. The Economic Ministers’ meeting was preceded by AITIGA Joint Committee meeting, which deliberated the roadmap for the review and finalised the Term of Reference and the Work Plan of the AITIGA Review Negotiations. After constructive discussions, the Ministers endorsed the above review documents, which would pave way for the formal commencement of negotiations with defined modalities. The review of the AITIGA was a long-standing demand of Indian businesses and the early commencement of the review would help in making the FTA trade facilitative and mutually beneficial. The Ministers agreed to follow a quarterly schedule of negotiations and conclude the review in 2025. The review of AITIGA is expected to enhance and diversify trade while addressing the current asymmetry in the bilateral trade. The decision for review of AITIGA will now be placed in the forthcoming India-ASEAN Leaders’ Summit scheduled in early September for further guidance.
Ministry of Finance
Digital payments increased over last 3 financial years
As apprised by Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology , Digital India Programme has made a significant and positive impact in the lives of common citizen in the country. This was stated by Union Minister of State for Finance Dr Bhagwat Kisanrao Karad in written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.
As a result of the initiative taken, the Minister stated, the number of digital payments in volume terms have increased over the last 3 financial years  as illustrated below:
|
|
Financial Year
|
|
Volume 
|
|
2018-19
|
|
2,32,602
|
|
2019-20
|
|
3,40,025
|
|
2020-21
|
|
4,37,445
|
|
2021-22 
|
|
3,68,284
Source: RBI
The Minister stated that the brief details of major Digital India initiatives, inter-alia, are at ANNEXURE.
Giving more details, the Minister stated that as apprised by Reserve Bank of India , in terms of extant instructions, with effect from September 7, 1999, Scheduled Commercial Banks have however been given the freedom to fix service charges for various types of services rendered by them. While fixing service charges, banks have, however, been advised to ensure that the charges are reasonable and not out of line with the average cost of providing these services. They have been further advised to identify basic services and the principles to be adopted /followed by them for ensuring reasonableness in fixing such charges and to take steps to ensure that customers are made aware of the service charges upfront and changes in the service charges are implemented only with the prior notice to the customers.
The Minister further stated that the above instructions are consolidated in paragraph 6 of Master Circular on ‘Customer Service in Banks’ issued vide DBR. No.Leg.BC.21/09.07.006/2015-16 dated July 1, 2015, which is available on RBI website www.rbi.org.in . Also, RBI vide circular DPSS.CO.PD No. 1633 / 02.14.003 / 2017-18 dated December 06, 2017, banks have, inter- alia, been advised to ensure that merchants on-boarded by them do not pass on MDR charges to customers while accepting payments through debit cards.
Further, vide Circular 32 of 2019 dated 30.12.2019 of Department of Revenue, any charge, including the Merchant Discount Rate , shall not be applicable on or after 01.01.2020 on payment made through prescribed electronic modes i.e. RuPay Debit card, BHIM-UPI and BHIM-UPI QR Code, the Minister stated.
Ministry of Earth Sciences
Cabinet approves MoU between India and the USA concerning Scientific and Technical Cooperation in the Earth Sciences
The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has been apprised of Memorandum of Understanding  between India and the United States of America  concerning Scientific and Technical Cooperation in the Earth Sciences. The MoU was signed on 1st November 2018.
The collaboration between India and the USA will enable sharing of the expertise available with organizations in both countries, and adoption of the latest state-of-the-art technology in the field of Earth Science. Specific areas of cooperation include ecosystems, climate variability and land-use changes, energy, minerals, environmental health, natural hazards, risk and resilience of assessments, water resources, and informatics and data integration. The cooperation under this MoU is envisaged through various modes viz. exchange of technical information, visits, training and cooperative research consistent with on-going programmes of both countries in the above fields.
Ministry of Finance
Accounts of the Union Government of India  for the Financial Year 2020-21
The Accounts of the Union Government of India  for the Financial Year 2020-21 has been consolidated and reports published. The highlights are given below:-
The Government of India has received Rs. 16,89,720 crore  during 2020-21 comprising Rs 14,24,035 crore Tax Revenue , Rs. 2,08,059 crore of Non Tax Revenue and Rs. 57,626 crore of Non Debt Capital Receipts. Non Debt Capital Receipts consists of Recovery of Loans  and Disinvestment Proceeds .
Rs. 5,94,997 crore has been transferred to State Governments as Devolution of Share of Taxes by Government of India upto this period which is Rs. 55,680 crore lower than the previous year.
Total Expenditure incurred by Government of India is Rs. 35,11,181 crore , out of which Rs. 30,86,360 crore is on Revenue Account and Rs 4,24,821 crore is on Capital Account. Out of the Total Revenue Expenditure, Rs. 6,82,079 crore is on account of Interest Payments and Rs 6,89,545 crore is on account of Major Subsidies.
Prime Minister's Office
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi speaks on telephone with His Excellency Vladimir Putin, President of the Russian Federation
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi had a telephone conversation today with His Excellency Vladimir Putin, President of the Russian Federation.
The two leaders reviewed the implementation of the decisions taken during President Putin's visit to India in December 2021. In particular, they exchanged ideas on how bilateral trade in agricultural goods, fertilizers and pharma products could be encouraged further.
The leaders also discussed global issues, including the state of the international energy and food markets.
In the context of the ongoing situation in Ukraine, Prime Minister reiterated India's long-standing position in favour of dialogue and diplomacy.
The leaders agreed to maintain regular consultations on global and bilateral issues.
Ministry of Culture
Sahitya Akademi Organises Kathasandhi With Eminent Novelist Tapan Bandyopadhyay
Kolkata, June 28, 2019
Sahitya Akademi organised a programme for eminent fiction writer Shri Tapan Bandyopadhyay, where he read out excerpts from his novels ‘Nadi Mati Aranya’, ‘Malabkoushik’ and ‘Dvairath’ on Thursday . The name of the programme is Kathasandhi.
Shri Bandyopadhyay even recollected his early days and shared his experiences as a novelist as he said, a novel takes nearly five to seven years to complete. The author interacted with the audience also.
Shri Bandyopadhyay has so far published more than 50 novels including 10 for children and juveniles, nearly 300 hundred short stories and eight books of poems.
Ministry of New and Renewable Energy
Cabinet approves MoU between India and Saudi Arabia for cooperation in the field of Renewable Energy
The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi was apprised of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy of the Government of India and the Ministry of Energy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for cooperation in the field of Renewable Energy. This was signed on 29th October, 2019 in Riyadh.
Objectives
The MoU aims at setting up a framework for cooperation between the two parties in the field of renewable energy in the following areas:-
- Upgrading the level of technologies and their applications in the field of renewable energy.
- Contributing to the field of renewable energy to raise its efficiency in the national energy combination in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
- Developing the Renewable energy projects in Solar, Wind, Biogas, Geothermal and other fields of renewable energy.
- Development and localization of value chain in the field of renewable energy.
- Developing and boosting uses of solar energy small applications for buildings, homes and others.
Ministry of Micro,Small & Medium Enterprises
Sale of Counterfeit Khadi
Textile Committee, Ministry of Textiles has been engaged by Khadi and Village Industries Commission  to inspect the Khadi production processes through the physical inspection to ensure hand spun and hand weaving process and draw the Khadi samples from laboratory testing.
KVIC had issued 2172 notices to entities engaged in the unauthorized sale of products in the name of Khadi, against which 447 entities have apologized for unknowingly using the Khadi Trade Mark, 84 entities have given undertaking to the effect that they will not use Khadi Trade Marks in future.
The following steps to prevent the sale of counterfeit Khadi products:
- KVIC has obtained Trade Mark Registration for the wordmark “KHADI”, under most of the classes including classes-24 & 25 .
- KVIC has appointed 7 Trade Mark Consultants, who are actively watching the Trade Mark infringements by third parties and issuing legal notices to the unauthorized users.
- KVIC is also removing the links regarding the online sale of fake Khadi products from e-commerce platforms and social media on a continuous basis. So far, KVIC removed 2487 links from Amazon, Flipkart, Snapdeal, WhatsApp, YouTube, etc.
- KVIC is constantly opposing the applications for registration of Trade Marks filed by third parties with the word ‘KHADI’ as part of their Trade Mark. So far, KVIC filed 185 oppositions.
- KVIC is also filing rectification applications before the Trade Mark Authorities for cancellation of the Trade Marks of the third parties already registered, which contains the word “KHADI” as part of its Trade Mark. So far, KVIC already filed 43 rectification applications.
As per, MHA Order No. 02/01/2020-Public  dated 03.12.2021 has amended Flag Code of India 2002 that at Part-I, Para l.2 “The National Flag of India shall be made of hand spun and hand woven or machine made, cotton/polyester/wool/silk Khadi bunting”. According to the MHA order, hand spun, hand woven Khadi bunting cloth is stil1 continued even though decentralized for manufacturing of the Flag out of polyester or machine-made fibers. Three Khadi Institutions are holding BIS license for manufacturing the IS-I National Flag and 7 more Khadi Institutions have been identified for obtaining the BIS license for manufacturing flag.
This information was given by the Minister of State for Micro Small and Medium Enterprises, Shri Bhanu Pratap Singh Verma in a written reply to the Lok Sabha.
Prime Minister's Office
PM meets Air Marshal PV Iyer 
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has expressed delight on meeting Air Marshal PV Iyer . He also received a copy of his book.
The Prime Minister tweeted;
“Delighted to meet Air Marshal PV Iyer  today. His zest for life is remarkable and so is his passion towards staying fit and healthy. Glad to get a copy of his book.”
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
COVID-19 UPDATE
193.83 cr vaccine doses have been administered so far under Nationwide Vaccination Drive
India's Active caseload currently stands at 21,177
Active cases stand at 0.05%
Recovery Rate currently at 98.74%
2,363 recoveries in the last 24 hours increases Total Recoveries to 4,26,22,757
4,041 new cases recorded in the last 24 hours
Daily positivity rate 
Weekly Positivity Rate 
85.17 cr Total Tests conducted so far; 4,25,379 tests conducted in the last 24 hours
Ministry of Culture
The Ministry of Culture implements Scholarship and Fellowship Scheme to protect folk song artists
The Ministry of Culture is implementing a Scheme by the name of ‘Scheme of Scholarship and Fellowship for Promotion of Art and Culture’ to protect all genres of artists including folk song artists.
The Scheme of Scholarship and Fellowship for Promotion of Art and Culture consist of 03 components viz.  Award of Scholarships to Young Artists in Different Cultural Fields ,  Award of Senior/Junior Fellowships to outstanding persons in different cultural fields and  Award of Tagore National Fellowship for cultural research . The detail of these schemes components is as given below:-
‘Award of Scholarships to Young Artists in Different Cultural Fields ’. Under this scheme component, a Scholarship of Rs.5000/- per month is provided to selected beneficiaries in the age group of 18 -25 years, in four equal six monthly installments for a period of 2 years. The candidates should have undergone training under any Guru or Institution for a minimum period of five years. The scholars are selected on the basis of their performance in a personal interview/interaction before an Expert Committee for Scholarship constituted by the Ministry.
Award of Senior/Junior Fellowships to outstanding persons in different cultural fields.Under this scheme component, Senior Fellowship is provided to selected Fellows in the age group of 40 years and above in four equal 6 monthly installments @ Rs.20,000/- p.m for 02 years for cultural research. Junior Fellowship is provided to selected Fellows in the age group of 25 to 40 years in four equal 6 monthly installments @ Rs.10,000/- p.m for 02 years. Upto 400 Senior & Junior Fellowships are awarded in one batch year. The Fellows are selected by an Expert Committee for Sr / Jr Fellowship constituted by the Ministry.
Award of Tagore National Fellowship for cultural research . Under this scheme component, the candidates are selected under two categories viz. Tagore National Fellowship and Tagore Research Scholarship to work on cultural research by affiliation under different participating institutions in 4 different groups. Selection of Fellows and Scholars are made by National Selection Committee . Selected Fellows are paid financial assistance @Rs.80,000/- p.m. + Contingency Allowance and Scholars are paid @Rs.50,000/- p.m. + Contingency Allowance for a maximum period of 2 Years. The financial assistance is released in four equal six monthly installments.
Under the scheme of “Project Grants to Individuals for Research in the Performing Arts”, the Sangeet Natak Akademi provides financial assistance to individuals on recommendation of the Advisory Committee.
This reply was given by Minister of Culture, Tourism and Development of North Eastern Region Shri G. Kishan Reddy in Lok Sabha today.
Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution
Centre further slashes price of tomato; to be sold at Rs 70 per kg by NCCF and NAFED from tomorrow
The Department of Consumer Affairs has directed NCCF and NAFED to sell tomatoes at retail price of Rs.70/- per kg rate from 20th July, 2023 in view of the declining trend in tomato prices. The tomatoes procured by NCCF and NAFED had been retailed, initially, at Rs.90/- per kg and then reduced to Rs.80/- per kg from 16th July, 2023. The reduction to Rs.70/- kg will further benefit the consumers.
It may be recalled that on the direction of Department of Consumer Affairs, NCCF and NAFED had commenced the procurement of tomato from mandis in Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Maharashtra for simultaneous disposal in major consumption centres where retails prices have recorded maximum increase in last one month. The retail sale of tomatoes in Delhi-NCR had started from 14th July, 2023. Till 18th July, 2023 a total of 391 MT of tomato had been procured by the two agencies which are being continuously disposed of to the retail consumers in major consumption centres of Delhi-NCR, Rajasthan, UP and Bihar.
Ministry of Information & Broadcasting
I do not have access to my ancestral land Sindh and hence I chose to become the land through TATTOO - Director Sapna Bhavnani
WIG is a film about the life of a woman and a transgender who encounters the prejudices of the society – Director Athanu Mujherjee
Mumbai: 30 Jan 2020
Sapna Moti Bhavnani
"As a child one never wonders where they come from but as they grow up they become curious of their roots. I wanted to know the roots of my family and that inspired me to make this documentary", Director Sapna Bhavnani told the media while talking about her 64 minute film which was screened at MIFF 2020 today.
Sindhustan is the story of the largest migration of a culture in history told through ink . It includes stories from India and Sindh intercut with the director’s personal story of illustrating their journeys through tattoos. “I am using an art form from Sindh  and one from India  to tell the story of a land which is carried on the shoulders of its people and not rooted in any soil”, she said.
She mentioned that both language and culture of Sindh is dying and there is no film about the oldest civilization in the world. “I have tattooed their stories on my legs, symbolising our journey on my feet and the lack of our roots. Because I do not have access to my ancestral land Sindh, I chose to become the land,” she said.
Talking about her struggles in making the documentary she said that since she couldn’t personally go and shoot in Sindh, she had to ask a friend, who lives there, to shoot and send the footage. She mentioned that the documentary took 8 years to complete of which 2 years were consumed in editing.
Athanu Mukherjee
Director Athanu Mukherjee while talking about his short film WIG said, "The film is based on relationship between a working woman trying to settle in Mumbai and a transgender person whom she meets accidentally. In life people often use social bias to judge a person. This film breaks those prejudices and makes it possible to understand people better ".
The idea of the film was inspired by the director’s real life observation. The film was screened at MIFF 2020 under International Competition of the festival.
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Ministry of Information & Broadcasting
Kolhapur Field office of Central Bureau of Communication to organise rare photo exhibition on National Unity Day at Miraj junction
To be inaugurated by Member of Parliament Shri Sanjaykaka Patil
On the occasion of National Unity Day, Central Bureau of Communication, Field Office Kolhapur under Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, together with Pune Division of Central railways will jointly organise an exhibition depicting rare photographs of sardar Vallabhbhai Patel at Miraj Junction platform number 1.
Member of Parliament Sanjaykaka Patil will inaugurate the exhibition at 10:00 a.m. in the presence of District Collector of Sangli Dr. Raja Dayanidhi. The exhibition will be open from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. during 31st October and 2 November.
The objective of exhibition is to create awareness among masses about the life and times of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel who was the architect of India's unification. The exhibition will have kiosks offering interactive experiences as well as LED screens showing rare footage of Sardar Patel archived by Films Division under NFDC. Information stalls will also be put up by various departments like District Election office, Police Department as well as Post Office Department on the occasion.
Ministry of Education
We are preparing our workforce to be ready for the challenges of the 21st century - Shri Dharmendra Pradhan
Union Minister of Education and Skill Development and Entrepreneurship today delivered the valedictory address at the 49th IFTDO World Conference & Exhibition being organised in New Delhi on the theme of Strategies for an Agile Work Culture: Pathways to the New Age.
While speaking on the occasion, he spoke about the role of technology as an enabler as well as a disruptor in the society and economy. He said that in view of a rapidly changing world, we must prepare our workforce to be ready for the challenges of the 21st century through a holistic skilling strategy.
Speaking about capacity building, he said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, there is utmost stress on capacity building in all sectors. He highlighted the role of Capacity Building Commission of India in looking at best practices in capacity building and creating synergy between different entities.
Shri Pradhan also spoke about the National Education Policy  and its impetus on creating synergy between education and skilling. He said that while NEP covers students from age 3 to 23 in the formal education system, we must also come up with new ideas, pathbreaking strategies on skilling, re-skilling and up-skilling for those who are not a part of the formal education system.